Hello Everyone! How have you been? Enjoying the sunshine and the warmer temperatures? I know we sure are!

Well, the National Geographical Survey has listed most of Hunt County in a Severe Drought, with the exception of the far southern end of the county, where the most rain fell last weekend. This part of the county is in a moderate drought. There’s no chance for rain, at least until next Thursday. Meteorologists are tracking a low pressure system that’s predicted to bring anything from snow and ice to springtime weather.

Of course, none of that is good news for the City of Greenville. During the council work session Tuesday, it was reported that Lake Tawakoni is 10 inches from the lowest level ever recorded, 424.9 feet, which was recorded on December 29, 2006. The city is exploring four different options, costing anywhere from $1 million to $30 million, including the possibility of adding a second pump station southeast of the current one. City Manager Massoud Ebrahim, who was the Director of Public Works in 2006, says that the pump station is experiencing problems due to sedimentation, resulting from silt that was dumped from the outflow of the Cowleech Fork of the Sabine River. Currently, two temporary pumps are in use; however, the city is renting them for $8,000 per month. With the added manpower necessary to operate those pumps, it is costing the city $400,000 yearly.

There may be a light at the end of the tunnel for employees of Cytec. The Teamsters and company executives have set up a negotiation hearing, tentatively scheduled for January 21st at 1:00 p.m. inside the offices of Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services Commissioner Clint Hart in Irving.

AN UPDATE – At last check, two patients were en route to Parkland Hospital after today’s fire in Quinlan. In total, 3 patients are in critical condition, 2 of which are pediatric.

That’s all for now! Have a fantastic evening! And enjoy these warmer temperatures! You know that things can change in an instant – and that’s just the weather here!